Thursday, January 24, 2008

Even though I’ve been a professional storyteller for only the last ten years or so, I have always loved stories.As a kid, I would check out the BIGGEST books I could find in the library, just so I was certain the story would last a good long time.I remember my dad once commenting on my love of writing tales by saying, “If there’s even the tiniest scrap of paper – she’ll write on it!”Even as a dancer, plot lines are important to me.I LOVE that a flick of the wrist, or an arched back, can paint a vivid scene.

But all the stories I read, write, dance, and now tell for others, pale in comparison to what I call “the movies in my mind”.Oh, what a show!!For as long as I can remember, the “Cinema of Julie’s Brain” has been open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Now, I know other people daydream, and visualize moments of their lives, but for me, it’s more than an occasional “flight of fancy”, it is a full contact Olympic sport.From the moment my eyes open in the morning, until they blink shut for the last time at night, my brain is cranking out stories both large and small.

Sometimes, they are rewrites of situations that happened that day.The “What I Should Have Said or Done” scenario is one of my favorites, as is the “Reliving the Best Moment of the Day” show (which plays in a loop – the event growing more and more fabulous and grandiose at each viewing).

There’s the “Path to Success” tale that begins with a chance phone call or email about a gig that will eventually lead me to great happiness, financial security, and amazing creative endeavors.

And then there’s the “VENGENCE IS MINE” rant!Now, this is one I know everybody has had at least once – even if they don’t want to admit it.This is where (in your brain, of course) you encounter an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, while looking sexy and confident, with the prefect verbal retort rolling effortlessly off your tongue, putting them in their rightful, lowly place.Or, it’s you striding back into the office of a boss who terminally overlooked you, to inform them that you had just bought the company, and that, by the way – they’ve been “let go”.

Because I take all my genres of storytelling seriously, these daydreams are always Academy Award worthy.There is not a detail I do not attend to.Sets – check, costumes – check, lights and music – double check.The voices, facial ticks, and mannerisms of every character are completely realized, and it all becomes so amazingly absorbing, that I have missed subway stops, burnt dinners, and tumbled off treadmills.This, to me, is HEAVEN!!!

Or at least it was, before I got into yoga.At first, yoga was absolutely no threat to my “movies”.Becoming an Eagle, Cobra, Happy Baby, or any of the other yoga poses seemed to have little to do with my brain games.But then, out of the blue, it happened.Just as I had fallen in love with storytelling, dance, clowning, Diet Peach Snapple, and, of course, my amazing husband – yoga began to woo me, too.At first it was just the physical aspects of it.I began to attempt the more difficult postures, attend multiple classes each week, and practice at home.But as all this was going on, I became aware of the fact that the yoga asanas (the physical poses) were only one aspect of what yoga actually is.I came to learn that moving the body was simply a way to get the human mind to be quiet.Cool – a quiet mind!Wait a second – A QUIET MIND??Did that mean what I thought it did?

You betcha.In fact, the more I read, the more I saw the words “let your stories go”.Not my stories!!!Please not my stories!!!

Apparently, spending valuable brain activity spinning revenge fantasies keeps a person in a place where they are frenzied, grasping, and basically not at peace.DARN!I tried not to believe what I was reading, and more often, feeling.I fought to deny that one of the reasons I loved my yoga practice so much, was that while I was moving and breathing, that’s all I was doing – moving and breathing, and being there, right in that moment.And that instance of time was a beautiful place to be.I wasn’t mired in regret about what I hadn’t said, done, or accomplished.I wasn’t clawing desperately at a future I didn’t know would come.I was just there.And not in a “zombie, spaced out way”.I was actually more awake than before – really seeing the subway platform I was on, smelling the dinner I was cooking, feeling the pounding of my feet on the treadmill, instead of falling off of it.

Maybe, I began to think, my stories were best left to performances.The place for all my dramatics, and creativity was the stage, or even the page, but definitely not my mind.

So, that’s what I’m up to.Strangely I’m a storyteller trying not to tell tales; at least in the privacy of my own brain.In public – well, that as they say is a whole other story!

“I’m soooooo sorry,” the mother of a six year old in my audience says.Her eyes begging for forgiveness, her head bowed in shame.“He just always gets like this!”

I shake the offered hand, and tell her, “Your son didn’t do anything I haven’t seen before.”

“Really?” she utters incredulously.

“Really,” I reply.And I mean it.

One of the joys/challenges of being a live performer is that I see the audience every bit as much as they see me.The dad in the back row on the cell phone – hi there, sir!The seven year old who keeps forgetting to cover her mouth, when she lets loose a juicy, mucousy cough – where’s my Purell?And the baby on the lap of a mom in the back, who’s either laughing or pooping – coochie-coo!!I kind of hate to admit it, but sometimes, the show I see from my angle, is a heck of a lot funnier, and more interesting than what the public is getting from me!And while every audience and every child is different – there are definitely patterns.

In folktales, there are specific character types know as archetypes: the Hero, the Villain, the Sage, and others.Though the details differ from story to story, the roles these people (or animals) play in the tales are remarkably similar.The Hero in one folktale might have to overcome an ogre, while in another he is charged with finding magical fruit.Different circumstances to be sure, but he always has an obstacle to overcome, and usually a young maiden to find/save/wed.And just as often, as I describe an archetypical trickster or silly for my audience, my viewing public is enacting, in very real time, some classic archetypes of their own.Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce the “Mimic”, the “Know it All”, the “I’m Over It”, the “Performer”, the “Talker”, and last, but certainly not least, the “Nose Picker”.

The “Mimic”: I have to admit that the first time I witnessed this behavior, it freaked me out!There I was, going about my business, telling some story or the other in typical “Julie physical style” when all of a sudden, I saw at least a dozen little bodies mimicking my every move.Eyes wide, and absolutely silent, they were so absorbed by the story, I don’t even think they realized they were moving!Their focus was absolute, and they looked, I thought, a bit like marionettes.I raised my arms, they raised their arms.I scratched my head, they scratched their heads.They weren’t trying to pull focus, or get attention, they were just completely inside the story!After getting over the shock, I felt a little power crazy!!What if I could control other people this way?If I told a story to a bank teller, and mimed handing out money – would they copy my actions, and give me a fist full of dollars?Alas, the people at my bank know me by name, and just shook their heads, and laughed, saying, “Oh, that Julie!”

The “Know-It-All”: This is the child who, even before the story has begun, loudly announces to everyone, “Oh, I know this one!!”During every open-ended question, their hand is raised, and their face set in the smug smile of righteousness.If someone else answers the question first, the “Know-It-All” isn’t fazed.“I was going to say that” or “That was my second guess” are their quick come backs.Some people dislike the “Know-It-All” – not me!I adore (and wish I had more of) their self confidence and love of knowledge.

And the “Know-It-All” is often that sub-species known as the “Shusher”.Because the “Know-It-All” wants to hear the story BADLY – if only to prove they do in fact know it all, they give me their full attention – and they demand everyone does as well.I’ve seen “Know-It-Alls” stare down a noisy audience member with the expertise of a teacher, librarian, and preacher all rolled into one.

The “I’m Over It”: Okay, maybe like a mother, I’m not supposed to have favorites.But I do, and this group is it.I LOVE the “I’m Over Its”!!Their surly faces, slumped postures, constantly rolling eyes.“Bring it, lady,” their expressions tell me.And I love to oblige.See, I’m like that old song that says, “I’m a rebel, and I’m just no good.”If you tell me I can’t do something, I will work with every ounce of my 5’2” frame to prove you wrong.Choose to dare, double dare, or triple dare me, and watch out!

Every time I stand before a group of “I’m Over Its”, I feel my inner obstinate three year old stomp her feet, and dig her heels in.I become like the character, Effie, in “Dreamgirls”, who sings, “I’m staying!I’m staying!And you’re gonna love me!!!!!”These “I’m Over Its” make me dig deep, and bring out my A+++++ game (forgive all the sports analogies, but sometimes that’s the only way things can be said!)They make me keep working on my repertoire so that I have material that is intense, juicy, and special enough to dazzle them.I’m always pretty focused on my audience, but with the “I’m Over Its”, I am forced to really crawl under their skin, to find what moves, provokes, or tickles them.They humble me, because they always seem to appear after I’ve had several crowds of “Mimics”, just adoring my every move.And there is no greater payoff then when an “I’m Over It” sits up a little straighter, smiles a shy smile or, raises a hand to ask a question.“I’m Over Its” are tough, no doubt about it, but they are TOTALLY worth it.

The “Performer”: This is a group I COMPLETELY understand because, well, I’m one of them.You see, I love the arts.I adore them!!For my birthday this year, I saw a dance concert, and a musical show on the same day.Seeing creativity of any kind fuels mine – and that’s the problem.Because as I sit there watching dancers, singers, clowns, storytellers, mimes, sword swallowers, even there’s always about 80% of me (sometimes more) that wants to hop up on that stage, and join whoever it is that is currently performing.Now, I have learned to control my impulse to shove the ballerina out of the way, and take her place in “SwanLake”, but a six year old “Performer” hasn’t mastered that quite yet.And so, unlike the “Mimic” who will silently sit in their seat, and copy my moves, the “Performer” uses every opportunity to insert himself into my performance.If I make a sound effect, the “Performer” will do it louder – over, and over again.If I do a character walk or pratfall, the “Performer” will concoct something that looks like a move from Cirque De Soleil, and perform that maneuver as many times as they can, sometimes crying out, “Watch me!Watch me!” – as if we all weren’t already!

While I will admit a “Performer” (or on a rare occasion – multiple “Performers” that feed off one another) can make my job a smidge difficult, they have also taught me one of life’s great lessons – how to let go!The nature of storytelling is all about the NOW.Telling this particular tale, to this particular group, and taking in the atmosphere and circumstances of this particular venue.When a “Performer” is in the house, I must let go of my plans, and see how it all plays out.Sometimes, the “Performer” quiets down to a slightly more vocal “Mimic”, and sometimes I land up with a partner for the day.Oh well, it’s always good to share.And maybe I’m mentoring a future storyteller!

The “Talker”: “Hi!My name is Rosalie.I’m seven years old, and for my birthday I got a Wii, and had a party.Do you like my dress?I have another one just like it in orange…”Well hello there, “Talker”!

While the “Performer” and the “Know it All” may interrupt the performance any chance they get, they are, for the most part, thoroughly engaged in the tale.The “Talker” on the other hand – not so much!The “Talker” does not mean any disrespect, and in fact, it is only because they like you (and your tales) that they feel the NEED to tell you EVERY detail of their lives.But given any opportunity the “Talker” will ignore the story, the other people in the audience, and very often their own parents, to inform you about their puppy, or turtle, or favorite flavor of ice cream.

Me: (During the telling of one of my favorite stories, “How Frog Lost His Tail”)Frog stopped laughing, looked up and saw…(I pause for dramatic effect, and to allow the kids to chime in, if they want to)

Little Boy: The watering bowl is gone?

Little Girl: The Sky God?

The “Talker”: The Monkey – I saw a monkey once at the zoo, and it was picking something off the other monkeys head, and then eating it, and I said, “EEW!”I wouldn’t want somebody picking something off of my head, and I wouldn’t pick…

And on and on and on!!It’s hard to get upset with a “Talker”, because they are always so darn cute, and the looks on their faces are the very definition of “earnestness”.I try to keep their absolute NEED to speak in mind, while I’m performing for inspiration.And, I hope, as long as I NEED to tell stories, I will.And when I don’t – I won’t!

The “Nose Picker”: What can you say about the children who are so oblivious to what we adults call “socially appreciate behavior”, that when their little noses itch, they plunge those fingers in there, and scratch away?I suppose you could say, ‘STOP!That’s not what polite ladies and gentlemen do!”But while, I totally agree that nose picking is something that’s best done in the privacy of one’s own home – you won’t ever see me telling my listening public not to do it during my performances.

Because, somehow, when I look out at that little “Nose Picker”, and all the other “types” of children I’ve written about here, I am reminded of a time in my life when I didn’t have so many rules!When, if I felt deeply moved or touched by a performance, it would spur me into action, like a “Mimic” or a “Performer”.Or if I wasn’t sure about something, I’d acknowledge it like the “I’m Over It”, instead of just slapping on my “Everything’s Okay” face.A time when I wasn’t too guarded, too afraid that my opinion would meet with opposition to express it, like a “Know It All” or a “Talker”.A magical time in life, when I was so absorbed in every moment, that I wouldn’t notice if I was picking my nose in public.That special time in life known as childhood.That’s the show I see from where I stand.And, oh, what a show it is!!

Julie's Bio

Julie Pasqual is a storyteller who's performances are infused with physicality and movement from her dance training, comic moments from her work in clowning, a deep love of language from her work as an actress, and a love of world cultures and folktales born from her travels to (so far) 49 of the 50 states, and 12 countries. Using all of her performance skills, and an ever present spirit of playfulness, Julie brings stories to audiences from pre-schoolers to prisoners, and everyone in between in single shows, assemblies, workshops, and residencies. Schools, libraries, festivals, museums, group homes, shelters, detention centers, and even weddings, have been some of her venues. When not telling tales, she can be found performing for Healthy Humor, a program designed to bring joy and fun to hospitalized children and their families, teaching the ancient practice of yoga at several studios, and domestic abuse shelters, and travelling to international schools around the globe as a teaching artist for ISTA (International School Theatre Alliance, as well as sweating as much as she can at her local gym!!!

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Upcoming Performances

Many of my “tellings” are private performances for schools, or part of ongoing residencies I have. The following are some venues where the general public can see me. Hope to see you there!!FEBRUARY 2017:2/4/17: Hempstead Library, NY 2PM2/4/17: Battery Park City, NYC 4:30PM2/25/17: Rahway Library, NJ 2PMAPRIL 2017:4/29/17: CT Storytelling Festival, New London, CT, 9AM, 1:30, 7:30!!MAY 2017:Manasquan Library, NJ 3:15PM

SO, WHERE'S JULIE WHEN SHE'S NOT TELLING TALES??

Well, she might be...performing in hospitals for children and their families for Healthy Humor a program designed to bringing humor and joy to the pediatric patients, or she might be...teaching yoga at Hudson Yoga Project in Hoboken, NJ, Yogamaya, The Bhakti Center, or at homeless and women's shelters in NYC. Or she might be...stilt walking, clowning, or dancing at various events. Or she might be travelling as a teaching artist for ISTA (International School Theatre Alliance)

Julie Live!

What They're Saying about Julie!

Julie Pasqual brings stories to LIFE. She is a storyteller of the first magnitude, with a collection of tales from all over the world. If you have the mistaken impression that children are bored by traditional storytelling, Julie will, with one beat of a drum, dance of her feet, or participatory shout from the audience, dispel your reservations. Julie is a true griot, a tribal teller who carries stories forward so that current generation and generations to come can learn the stories and the art of the teller. I have never had Julie at the library when the audience didn't leave smiling from ear to ear and repeating the rhythms and stories that she has taught them.

From Lisa Herskowitz, Youth Services Librarian, East Northport, Public Library.

"Julie Pasqual is one of the best storytellers we have hosted at our library. Julie is a whirlwind of positive energy who knows how to work a room filled with children of varied ages as well as adults. Her performance, which was the perfect blend of humor, physicality, and poignancy, held everyone's attention. Everyone walked out with a smile! I look forward to inviting Julie back in the near future."

To whom it may concern,

Julie Pasqual is a truly amazing performer! From the minute she steps on stage – even if the stage is a respect commanding school chapel or a huge, undecorated school gym – she holds the audience spellbound. Because Dream On Productions has presented more than 40 performances in Argentina by this excellent storyteller, I was treated to a wide variety of tales. My favorite one is “Unana,” a traditional folktale where the mother goes after an elephant who ate her children, and has to be swallowed along with them in order to rescue them. I also love the story of Death and her godson, a story told in cultures throughout the world. Her stories, her voices, her facial expressions, her stage presence make her performances unforgettable.

The fact that she uses the whole of her body to convey emotions and images that get the idea across makes her unique among the excellent performers we normally schedule, and perfect for our audiences of ESL learners.

Julie is furthermore a joy to work with and makes the entire experience not only a delight for the audience but also for the tour organizers. Just to mention a couple of examples, she was most co-operative trying to resolve an issue with a flight schedule change by the airline, and very patient signing autographs for long lines of school children.

In addition to my own opinion expressed above, we have received much feedback thanking Dream On and Julie, full of positive comments from teachers and children. As director of Dream On Productions, I heartily recommend her storytelling skills and professionalism.